How FIA and F1 Teams Battle Over New Flexi-Wing Rules

The FIA has introduced stricter front wing regulations beginning with the Spanish Grand Prix, sparking a wide range of reactions in the Formula 1 community. The new rules are designed to reduce how much the front wing can flex at high speeds, a change that many have said could alter the balance between teams. Read more about the impact of the front wing flex rules at the Spanish GP.

While Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur has called the move a potential “game changer,” others, like McLaren’s Andrea Stella, have indicated the adjustments may not bring significant shifts. Under the previous regulations, the front wing could deflect up to 15 millimeters when subjected to a static load of 1000 Newtons.

Now, that allowance drops to just 10 millimeters under the same force. These numbers are vital because, in racing conditions, the forces on the wing at top speed are about three times higher than those used in these static tests.

With real-life situations putting wings under extreme stress, teams have looked for ways to stay within the letter of the rule while maintaining maximum flexibility for optimal performance. Each team’s response to the directive depends heavily on their original car design and aerodynamic philosophy.

Changes made to the front wing must be incorporated carefully, often using computer simulations and physical reinforcements right at the points where officials test for maximum deflection. The aim is always to meet the rule’s requirements while keeping the car’s handling characteristics as close as possible to the old specification, so performance isn’t compromised.

Many teams treat this type of regulatory adjustment almost like a planned upgrade and have devoted resources accordingly. Observing the changes from race footage or onboard camera angles does not make it easy to spot the regulatory impact.

The deflection differences resulting from new limits are not typically visible to the human eye, especially as cars move through different track sections. The real effects only become evident under peak loads, which far exceed testing conditions and are virtually impossible to measure accurately during a race weekend.

Teams have continued to get creative with their solutions, working along the front wing’s length to tune flexibility within the new boundaries. This has let them maintain similar behaviors to previous designs without breaking the new restrictions.

Most outfits—particularly those competing for top spots—have focused on this technical challenge in the same way they would with new parts or mid-season developments, trying to avoid any performance dips. For the FIA, the regulations provide a visible sign of enforcement, showing stakeholders that they are managing technical loopholes seriously.

At the same time, teams remain skilled at finding new approaches, keeping the competition close and technical innovation alive. Whether the adjustment will meaningfully shake up the pecking order or simply add another twist to the development race remains uncertain, but every squad must adapt as the sporting landscape shifts. For a view on how teams adapt during races, see McLaren and Lewis Hamilton’s approach to Monaco.

The debate is far from settled on whether such interventions actually improve the sport or just trigger more ingenious engineering. The answers to these questions will likely emerge over the upcoming races, as teams keep pushing the boundaries within the new technical framework.

For now, the focus stays on performance gains and keeping pace with evolving regulations on the grid.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.